Method and system for calibrating a time of flight positron emission tomography system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for calibrating a time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner are provided. The method stores acquired scan data from detector pairs including data and timing information. The method further calculates an intensity distribution of emission sources based on the scan data and defines a timing pivot point based on a median of an intensity histogram. The method determines a timing correction for each detector based on the location of the timing pivot point. The positron emission tomography (PET) system further provides a plurality of detectors, used in performing imaging scans, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a timing correction for each detector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALIBRATING A TIME OF FLIGHT POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM,” assigned Ser. No. 11/226,171 and filed Sep. 14, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,211,799, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to Time of Flight (TOF) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) systems and, more particularly, to calibration of TOF PET systems.

A PET system generates images that represent the distribution of positron-emitting nuclides within the body of a patient. When a positron interacts with an electron by annihilation, the entire mass of the positron-electron pair is converted into two 511 keV photons. The photons are emitted in opposite directions along a line of response. The annihilation photons are detected by detectors that are placed along the line of response on a detector ring. When these photons are detected at the detector elements within a small pre-determined time window, the detection is referred to as coincidence. The scan data, collected by the PET scanner, is a collection of all the coincidences along the various lines of response. An image is then generated from the acquired coincidence data through a process called image reconstruction.

Image quality may be improved by including time-of-flight (TOF) information of the emission data. Strictly speaking, TOF is the time taken by an annihilation photon to travel from the origin of annihilation to detector elements along the line of response, but this cannot be measured directly since the time at which the emission takes place is not known. Therefore, TOF usually refers to the difference in the time at which the photons are detected by the detector elements. The timing difference is used to localize the source of emission along the line joining two detector elements in a TOF PET system.

With time and usage, the PET scanner requires a number of precise timing calibration operations to ensure effective operation. If differences in the arrival time of emission source responses at detectors in a detector pair are biased, the image reconstruction process will shift data along a line between the detectors. Such shifts will introduce additional noise in the image, thus offsetting the main advantage that is expected from a high performance TOF PET system.

Known calibration operations are carried out manually by an operator and based on a recommended schedule, to determine and correct for potential timing biases between detector pairs. However, the manual method is only effective in determining state of a system when data is acquired, which is typically once per day before the first patient is imaged. A state of the PET scanner may change during the course of the day, for example, due to temperature changes in the scanner. Such changes may affect calibration of the scanner and may go unnoticed unless the operator initiates the calibration procedure at some other time.

Known methods for calibration of the TOF PET system require additional operations to acquire the calibration data, which are performed when there is no patient being scanned. However, this results in a loss of operational time of the TOF PET scanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, a method for calibrating a time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is provided. The method stores acquired scan data from detector pairs, including data and timing information. The method further calculates an intensity distribution of emission sources based on the scan data and defines a timing pivot point based on a median of an intensity histogram. The method determines a timing correction for each detector based on the location of the timing pivot point.

Alternatively, the method provides storing data related to a number of image acquisitions and the associated timing information for a plurality of detectors. The method further determines a timing pivot of the acquisition data for the lines of response of detector pairs. The method divides the acquisition data into three bins: a first bin of acquisition data relating to events that were slower than a timing pivot, a second bin of acquisition data relating to events with that were faster than the timing pivot, and a third bin of acquisition data relating to events overlapping the first bin and the second bin. The method also shifts the timing information for the detectors such that the number of events in the slower bin and the number of events in the faster bin are approximately equal.

In another embodiment of the invention, a positron emission tomography PET system is provided. The system includes a plurality of detectors, which are used to perform imaging scans, and a processor. The process is configured to determine a timing correction for each detector, and to bin the acquired image scan data from the detector, as well as timing information associated with the scan data. The processor reconstructs images using the scan data and calculates an intensity distribution from the scan data. A median value is determined based on the intensity distribution and a timing histogram for each detector pair from the timing information. A timing pivot point based on a median of the intensity histogram is determined to correct the timing for each detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calibrating a TOF PET system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detector ring with a known source of emission, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an intensity profile of emission sources along line of response (LOR), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a timing histogram for a detector pair, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a timing histogram for a detector pair with classification of detector events in classification bins, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a timing histogram for a detector pair using the timing pivot to determine and classify detector events in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for automatic calibration of a Time of Flight (TOF) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system by using scan data obtained during scanning. The method for calibration of a TOF PET system uses patient scan data for determining timing correction.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. PET system 100 includes a PET scanner 101 and a controller 103. Controller 103 is configured to control PET scanner 101, which acquires scan data during a scanning operation. In an embodiment of the invention, controller 103 may be configured to determine whether calibration is required by PET system 100 based on the acquired scan data. In another embodiment of the invention, controller 103 may be configured to calibrate PET system 100. In an embodiment of the invention, PET system 100 is a TOF PET system.

Controller 103 includes an operator workstation 104, a data acquisition processor 106 and an image reconstruction processor 108. PET scanner 101, operator workstation 104, data acquisition processor 106 and image reconstruction processor 108 are interconnected via a communication link 110, for example, a serial communication or a wireless link. PET scanner 101, also referred as a gantry, acquires scan data and transmits the scan data to data acquisition processor 106. The operation of PET scanner 101 is controlled from operator workstation 104. The data acquired by data acquisition processor 106 is reconstructed using a reconstruction processor 108.

PET scanner 101 may operate using, for example, a plurality of detector rings. One such detector ring, detector ring 112, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Detector ring 112 includes a central opening, in which a patient 114 may be positioned using such as, a motorized table, that is aligned with the central axis of detector ring 112. The motorized table moves patient 114 into central opening of detector ring 112, in response to one or more commands received from operator workstation 104. A PET scanner controller 116, also referred to as the gantry controller, is provided within PET scanner 101. PET scanner controller 116 responds to the commands received from operator workstation 104 through communication link 110. Therefore, the operation of PET scanner 101 is controlled from operator workstation 104 through PET scanner controller 116.

Detector ring 112 includes a plurality of detectors. For example, in the GE Discovery™ ST PET, a diagnostic imaging system by GE Healthcare, there are 420 detector crystals per ring, and 24 rings in the scanner. Detector ring 112 includes a detector 117, a detector 119, and several other detectors. Detector 117, like other detectors, includes a set of scintillator crystals arranged in a matrix that is disposed in front of a plurality of photomultiplier tubes (e.g., four tubes). When a photon collides with a crystal on a detector, it produces scintillation in the crystal. Each photomultiplier tube in the vicinity of this scintillation produces an analog signal on communication line 118 when a scintillation event occurs. A set of acquisition circuits 120 is provided within PET scanner 101 to receive these analog signals. Acquisition circuits 120 produce digital signals indicating the location and total energy of the event. Acquisition circuits 120 also produce an event detection pulse, which indicates the time or moment the scintillation event occurred. These digital signals are transmitted through a communication link, for example, a cable, to an event locator 122 in data acquisition processor 106.

Data acquisition processor 106 includes event locator 122, an acquisition CPU 124 and a coincidence detector 126. Data acquisition processor 106 periodically samples the signals produced by acquisition circuits 120. Acquisition CPU 124 controls communications on a back-plane bus 128 and on communication link 110. Event locator 122 processes the information regarding each valid event, and provides a set of digital numbers or values indicative of the detected event. For example, the information indicates when the event took place and the position of the scintillation crystal that detected the event. An event data packet is communicated to coincidence detector 126 through back-plane bus 128. Coincidence detector 126 receives the event data packets from event locator 122 and determines if any two of the detected events are in coincidence. Coincidence is determined by a number of factors. First, the time markers in each event data packet must be within a predetermined time period, for example, 6.5 nanoseconds, of each other. Second, a line of response (LOR) formed by a straight line joining the two detectors that detect the coincidence event should pass through the field of view in PET scanner 101. Events that cannot be paired are discarded. Coincident event pairs are located and recorded as a coincidence data packet that is conveyed through a communication link to a sorter 130 in image reconstruction processor 108.

Image reconstruction processor 108 includes sorter 130, a memory module 132, an image CPU 134, a processor 136 and a back-plane bus 138. Sorter 130 counts all events occurring along each projection ray and organizes the events into a data structure, also referred to as projection data. Alternatively, the events along projection rays may be stored as a list of events. In an embodiment of the invention, the 3D data (or sinograms) is organized as a data array 140. Data array 140 is stored in memory module 132. Back-plane bus 138 is linked to communication link 110 through image CPU 134. Image CPU 134 controls communication through back-plane bus 138. Processor 136 is also connected to back-plane bus 138. Processor 136 receives data array 140 as an input and reconstructs images in the form of image arrays 142. Resulting image arrays 142 are stored in memory module 132. In one embodiment of the invention, image reconstruction processor 108 may be configured to determine a timing correction in order to calibrate PET scanner 101. The method steps performed by image reconstruction processor 108 to determine the timing correction for calibrating PET scanner 101 are further explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.

The images stored in image array 142 are communicated by image CPU 134 to operator workstation 104. Operator workstation 104 includes a CPU 144, a display device 146 and an input device 148. CPU 144 connects to communication link 110 and receives inputs (e.g., user commands) from input device 148. Input device 148 may be, for example, a keyboard, mouse, or a touch-screen panel. Through input device 148 and associated control panel switches, the operator may control the calibration of PET scanner 101, the configuration of PET scanner 101 and the positioning of object 114 for a scan through input device 148 and associated control panel switches. Similarly, the operator may control the display of the resulting image on display device 146 and perform image-enhancement functions using programs executed by workstation CPU 144.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. PET System 200 includes a processor 204 and a plurality of detectors 206. In an embodiment of the invention, detectors 206 are arranged in a ring structure. FIG. 2 shows an LOR formed by a straight line joining two detectors D1 and D2. Processor 204 acquires and stores the scan data obtained from scanner 202. PET system 200 may be a TOF PET system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calibrating PET scanner 101 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. At 302, scan data from detectors is acquired and stored. The scan data includes coincidence data and timing information. In an embodiment of the invention, detector ring 112 of PET system 100 acquires the scan data during a scanning operation and bins the scan data in multiple sinograms. At 304, an image is reconstructed using scan data obtained at 302. Image reconstruction from the scan data includes reconstructing an image from emission source responses. Further, image reconstruction includes reconstruction of an image from known emission source positions such as, for example, a pin source. In an embodiment of the invention, processor 204 carries out the image reconstruction at 304.

At 306, intensity distribution of emission sources is calculated. Intensity distribution of sources is calculated using reconstruction of the image using known methods. If a known source such as a phantom has an unknown position, then the intensity distribution is calculated using a combination of image reconstruction and spatial correction. At 308, timing histograms are calculated for each detector pair using the scan data. A detector pair includes detectors in detector ring 112 that lie across the LOR. Intensity distribution profile for a detector pair is further explained in accordance with FIG. 5. Timing histograms for a detector pair are further explained in conjunction with FIG. 6.

At 310, the intensity distribution is aligned with corresponding response times. For each detector pair, i.e., across an LOR, a corresponding intensity distribution profile is determined with or without making correction for random events. For each intensity distribution profile, a corresponding timing histogram is obtained from the sinograms of the scan data. Further, for each intensity distribution profile, a median is determined. In addition, a point in the timing histogram that corresponds to the median of the intensity distribution profile is determined. If the point is at a certain distance from the mid-point of the LOR, then the time difference is given by Δt:

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\; t} = \frac{2X}{c}} & (1) \end{matrix}$ where, X is the distance of the point corresponding to the median of the intensity distribution profile from the mid-point of the LOR; and c is the velocity of light in a vacuum. Further, a timing pivot is defined in the timing histogram as that point where time T corresponds to the location X along the LOR of the median of the intensity distribution. As used below, mid corresponds to the point of the timing histogram that corresponds to X in the intensity profile.

For each detector, detector events, i.e. the emission source responses captured by the detector across all the lines of response, are classified into a number of bins. The classification bins, for timing events, are based on the proximity of the timing events to the timing pivot. For example, the classified events maybe collected in three classification bins: an S bin, an M bin, and an F bin. The S bin corresponds to the events with time less than T, e.g. the timing pivot, the M bin corresponds to the events with time approximately equal to T, and the F bin corresponds to events with time greater than T. The M bin further corresponds to events within an interval, e.g., (mid−w) and (mid+w), where 2*w is the width of the middle of the bin. The width 2*w of the M bin maybe, for example, equal to the timing resolution of the system. For example, if the timing resolution is 500 ps full width at half maximum (FWHM), then w is about 250 ps. However, other values of w may be selected to be used. Alternatively, two bins may be used, or more than three bins may be used. The S bin, M bin and F bin may be adjacent or overlapping (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). Optionally, the S bin, M bin and F bin may be limited to extend no further than the time corresponding to the physical limits of the objects being imaged (e.g., patient or phantom). The extent of the object, and thus the limits on an acceptable timing value is typically available from a computed tomography (CT) scan, but may also be estimated from the edge of an intensity distribution (shown in FIG. 5) of a reconstructed image. By setting outer limits on the extent of the S bin and F bin, the impact of random events on the calculation of the timing correction will be minimized. In order to determine a timing correction, the S, M and F events for each detector are incremented for each LOR. In one embodiment of the invention, processor 204 performs alignment of intensity distribution with corresponding response times. The classification of events in the three classification bins S, M, and F is further explained in conjunction with FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

In the case of a well-calibrated detector, after classifying the detector events captured by the detector across all the lines of response, the number of events in the classification bins S and F are statistically not different. Hence, if the number of events in the classification bins S and F are different and the difference between the number of events is above a statistically significant threshold, a timing correction is needed.

The detector as used herein refers to either a single crystal or a group of crystals that share commonality in the data acquisition and processing path and that can therefore be assumed to have a common timing drift (for example, multiple crystals that are coupled to the same photomultiplier).

At 312, a timing correction for each detector is determined. The timing correction for each detector is determined by adjusting timing information such that the number of detector events in classification bin S and the number of detector events in classification bin F are statistically equal. In one embodiment of the invention, processor 204 determines the timing correction for each detector.

In an embodiment of the invention, the timing correction for each detector is determined by adjusting detector timing information according to equation (2).

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\; t} = {\delta\;{t\left( \frac{F - S}{2M} \right)}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$ where, F corresponds to number of detector events in classification bin F;

-   -   S corresponds to number of detector events in classification bin         S;     -   M corresponds to number of detector events in classification bin         M;     -   δt corresponds to the width of classification bin M, i.e., width         of the timing pivot; and Δt is timing correction based on the         number of faster and slower events. Δt is a timing correction         utilized to calibrate the detector. In other words, a shift in         timing that is needed to equalize the number of events in the         classification bins S and F may be visualized as being obtained         when timing window slides across the histogram by Δt. As a         result, the number of events that is added to the classification         bin S is equal to MΔt/δt , and an equal number of events are         taken from the classification bin F. In an embodiment of the         invention, when Δt is statistically significant, then the timing         correction for each detector is performed by adjusting detector         timing information by Δt. The statistical significance of Δt is         determined to ensure that only significant shifts are applied.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, determination of the statistical significance of Δt is determined in the following manner. Assuming that the detector is well calibrated, it can be approximated that F=S. Accounting for the fact that some events would appear in M, it can be stated that F+M/2=S+M/2. If we put F+M/2=f, and S+M/2=s, then a value T can be given by,

$T = {{abs}\left( \frac{{\left( {f + s} \right)/2} - f}{\sigma} \right)}$ where σ corresponds to standard deviation and using the normal approximation of the binomial distribution, the standard deviation is given by

$\sigma = \sqrt{\left( {f + s} \right) \cdot p \cdot \left( {1 - p} \right)}$ where p is the probability of a particular event f or s, so in this case p=0.5 hence,

$\sigma = {0.5\sqrt{\left( {f + s} \right)}}$ ${{and}\mspace{14mu} T} = {{abs}\left( \frac{s - f}{\sqrt{s + f}} \right)}$ The shift would be considered significant at the 95% level if T>1.645.

In an embodiment of the invention, the timing pivot can correspond to a point with little or no activity; in this case, the M bin might have very few counts and timing correction Δt could be overestimated. In such case, a shift will not be applied if M<q*(F+S), where q is a parameter to be estimated. In an embodiment of the invention, q is estimated in the following manner. Data is obtained on a well-calibrated system for a uniform flood phantom with a diameter (D) that is large compared to the timing resolution (dt) of the system, i.e., D>>c*dt, where c=velocity of light in vacuum. For example, if dt=500 ps, then D>>15 cm. The events are classified in the classification bins F, M, and S as described above, and then a ratio is computed, q′=M/(F+S). The estimated value of q would be, for example, q=q′/4.

A single acquisition may not yield enough counts in the classification bins S, M, and F to generate a statistically significant signal that may be used to determine the timing correction for a detector. In such case, the scan data is collected continuously during further patient scanning. However, earlier counts in the classification bins S, M and F may mask a recent drift. In one embodiment of the invention, the effect of earlier counts is negated by resetting counters of the classification bins to zero after reaching a certain count density. Resetting of the counters ensures that a sudden shift after a long period of stability does not go undetected. In another embodiment of the invention, counters of the classification bins are divided by a number such as, for example, two, which reduces the effect of earlier counts over time. Dividing the counters of classification bins by a number ensures that a more recent drift is detected. In an embodiment of the invention, the method of dividing the counters of the classification bins by a number to reduce the effect of earlier counts is performed when the counters of the classification bins reach a level without a statistically significant shift being detected.

In an embodiment of the invention, processor 204 is configured to acquire and store scan data from detectors. Further, processor 204 reconstructs images using the scan data, and calculates an intensity distribution from the scan data. Finally, processor 204 determines timing corrections for each detector based on a median of the intensity distribution and the timing histogram.

In an embodiment of the invention, controller 103 carries out calibration of PET scanner 101. Further, controller 103 determines the timing correction and adjusts the timing information such that the number of slower detector events and the number of faster detector events are not statistically different. In another embodiment of the invention, controller 103 carries out calibration of a plurality of detectors using scan data acquired for a number of image acquisitions that include timing information.

In an embodiment of the invention, controller 103 stores timing correction data for PET scanner 101 over time. The timing correction data stored over time may be used to perform preventive maintenance of PET scanner 101.

In another embodiment of the invention, processor 204 of TOF PET system 200 calculates the timing correction for scanner 202, and carries out the calibration of scanner 202. Further, processor 204 also stores timing correction data for scanner 202.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating shows a detector ring with a known source of emission, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a detector ring with detectors D1 and D2, and a known source of emission, i.e., a phantom in the detector ring. Detector pair D1-D2 obtains emission profile from phantom. A line passing through detector pair D1-D2 is known as an LOR.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an intensity profile of emission sources along the LOR, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Using the scan data, the intensity profile of emission sources along the LOR is determined. Further, for the intensity profile a median is determined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a timing histogram for a detector pair, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Using the timing information obtained from the scan data, the timing histogram for each detector pair is determined. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary timing histogram for a detector pair D1 and D2. Using the median of the intensity distribution profile the detector events are classified into three classification bins S, M, and F, as described above.

FIG. 7 is a timing histogram for a detector pair with classification of detector events in classification bins, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The classification bins are S bin that corresponds to events slower than the timing pivot, F bin that corresponds to events faster than the timing pivot, and M bin that corresponds to events approximately equal to the timing pivot. FIG. 7 shows the classification of detector events for a detector pair D1 and D2. The index in FIG. 7 gives the classification of detector events for detectors D1 and D2. The timing histogram with classification of the detector events is used for determining the timing correction for the detectors. For any given pair of detectors, for example, detectors D1 and D2, events on the LOR joining the detectors, that are classified in S bin for one detector (D1, for example) will be classified in F bin for the other detector (D2, for example).

FIG. 8 is a timing histogram for a detector pair using the timing pivot to determine and classify detector events in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The timing pivot, for example, is a single point that is determined from a timing histogram based on the median of the intensity profile. The classification bins are an S bin that corresponds to events slower than the timing pivot and an F bin that corresponds to events faster than the timing pivot. The timing pivot also identifies a center point for a middle bin, e.g., M bin. The M bin may overlap the S bin and F bin. The width of the M bin may be based on the timing resolution of the system. Alternatively, the width of the M bin may be based on discrete intervals of time (e.g., 50 ps, 100 ps, 200 ps, 250 ps and the like). The M bin may not have the same width as the original timing bins, and the boundaries of the S, F and M bins may not align with boundaries of the original timing bins. Thus, events in individual bins of the timing histogram may be proportionally allocated to S, F, and M bins in accordance with the fractional position of S, F, and M bins relative to the limits of the bins in the original timing histogram.

Various embodiments of the invention provide a TOF PET system that acquires calibration data during an imaging operation. The TOF PET system does not require the system to be made unavailable for patient imaging in order to obtain calibration data. Further, with calibration data being obtained during an imaging operation, the TOF PET system may be calibrated more than once per day. Additionally, various embodiments of the invention provide a TOF PET system that stores timing corrections for a plurality of detectors over time. The stored timing corrections may be used for preventive maintenance and calibration of the TOF PET system.

A technical effect of the various embodiments of the TOF PET system is to provide a better method of calibrating a plurality of detectors over a period of time by storing acquired scan data from detector pairs including data and timing information, calculating an intensity distribution of emission sources based on the scan data, defining a timing pivot point based on a median of an intensity histogram, and determining a timing correction for each detector based on the location of the timing pivot point.

Various embodiments or components thereof may be implemented as part of a computer system. The computer system may include a computer, an input device, a display unit and an interface, for example, for accessing the Internet. The computer may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to a communication bus. The computer may also include a memory. The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer system further may include a storage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage device may also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer system.

As used herein, the term “computer” may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “computer”.

The computer system executes a set of instructions that are stored in one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. The storage elements may also hold data or other information as desired or needed. The storage element may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within the processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the processing machine to perform specific operations such as the processes of the various embodiments of the invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program or a portion of a program module. The software also may include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in response to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A method for calibrating a time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, said method comprising: storing acquired scan data from detector pairs including data and timing information; calculating an intensity distribution of emission sources based on the scan data; defining a timing pivot point based on a median of an intensity histogram; and determining a timing correction for each detector based on the location of the timing pivot point.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the timing pivot point defines a center of a bin, the bin having a finite bin width and includes acquisition data proximate to the timing pivot point relating to events that are slower and faster than the timing pivot point.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the timing pivot point defines the acquisition data into two bins and identifies the center of a third bin that overlaps the other two bins, a first bin of acquisition data relating to events slower than the timing pivot point, a second bin of acquisition data relating to events faster than the timing pivot point, and a third bin of acquisition data including acquisition data relating to events slower and faster than the timing pivot point having the center of the bin corresponding to the timing pivot point and a width based on the timing resolution of the scanner.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the timing pivot point divides the acquisition data into data relating to events that are slower than the timing pivot point and data relating to events that are faster than the timing pivot point.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the timing pivot point defines a center point for a third bin, the third bin overlapping the first and second bins.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the third bin has a width based on a timing resolution of the scanner.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein a calibration correction is applied to the detectors if the density of counts in the third bin is greater than a predetermined threshold.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a timing correction for each detector, comprises: adjusting detector timing information according to ${{\Delta\; t} = {\delta\;{t\left( \frac{F - S}{2M} \right)}}},$ where F is a count of detector events faster than a timing pivot, S is a count of detector events slower than the timing pivot point, and M is a count of detector events within ${+ \text{/}} - \frac{\delta\; t}{2}$ of the timing pivot point.
 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a timing correction for each detector comprises: adjusting detector timing information according to ${\Delta\; t} = {\delta\;{t\left( \frac{F - S}{2M} \right)}}$ when Δt has a value that is equal to or greater than a statistically significant, predetermined value, where F is a count of detector events faster than a timing pivot point, S is a count of detector events slower than the timing pivot point, and M is a count of detector events within ${+ \text{/}} - \frac{\delta\; t}{2}$ of the timing pivot point.
 10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising defining a timing range based on the timing pivot point, wherein the timing correction is based on the timing range.
 11. A method for using patient data to calibrate a time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, said method comprising: storing data relating to a number of image acquisitions and associated timing information for a plurality of detectors; determining a timing pivot of the acquisition data for the lines of response of respective detector pairs; dividing the acquisition data into three bins, a first bin of acquisition data relating to events that were slower than a timing pivot, a second bin of acquisition data relating to events with that were faster than the timing pivot, and a third bin of acquisition data relating to events overlapping the first bin and the second bin; and shifting the timing information for detectors such that the number of events in the slower bin and the number of events in the faster bin are approximately equal.
 12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising: calculating a timing histogram for the image acquisitions; and determining a point in the histogram that corresponds to the timing pivot of the acquisitions.
 13. A method according to claim 11 further comprising: determining a number of acquisition events in each bin; and resetting counters for each bin to zero when a predetermined count density is reached.
 14. A method according to claim 11 further comprising: determining a number of acquisition events in each bin; and dividing the number in the counters by a predetermined value after a predetermined amount of time has expired.
 15. A positron emission tomography (PET) system comprising: a plurality of detectors utilized in performing imaging scans; and a processor configured to determine a timing correction for each detector, said processor configured to bin acquired image scan data from said detector and timing information associated with the scan data, reconstruct images using the scan data, calculate an intensity distribution from the scan data, determine a median value based on the intensity distribution and a timing histogram for each detector pair from the timing information, and determine a timing pivot point based on a median of the intensity histogram to correct timing for each detector.
 16. A PET system according to claim 15 wherein said processor is configured to either reconstruct images using emission source responses to get an estimate of source distribution for use in determining timing corrections or utilize known emission source positions in determining timing corrections.
 17. A PET system according to claim 15 wherein said processor is configured to determine a number of detector events that are one of slower than the timing pivot point and faster than the timing pivot point response times for each detector pair.
 18. A PET system according to claim 15 wherein said processor is configured to: determine a number of detector events that are one of slower than the timing pivot point and faster than the timing pivot point response times for each detector pair; and adjust timing information such that the number of slower detector events and the number of faster detector events are approximately equal.
 19. A PET system according to claim 15 wherein to align a median of the intensity distribution, said processor is configured to: count a number of detector events that are one of slower than the timing pivot point and faster than the timing pivot point response times for each detector pair; and increment the appropriate count for each line of response.
 20. A PET system according to claim 15 wherein said processor is configured to adjust detector timing information according to ${{\Delta\; t} = {\delta\;{t\left( \frac{F - S}{2M} \right)}}},$ where F is a count of detector events faster than the timing pivot point, S is a count of detector events slower than the timing pivot point, and M is a count of detector events within $+ {/{- \frac{\delta\; t}{2}}}$ of the timing pivot point. 